A strongly issue-led play Burning Monkey relates the story of a teenage couple & their interactions with an older war veteran trying to rebuild his fractured relationship with his daughter. While their exchanges initially show a hostile & unsympathetic clash of generations it soon becomes apparent that they share similar pain
- based on their damaged family relationships & absent parents/children
- & they begin to feel empathy for one another's plight. In the background the presence of war looms; the character of Old is haunted by memories of his time as a soldier & the character of Monkey looks forward to a time when he can escape the depressing realities of his life & join the army. In the midst of this Shell is fifteen madly in love with Monkey & pregnant with his child. Her attempts to try & make the irresponsible immature Monkey stay with her become increasingly desperate. Burning Monkey is a play that raises important issues for teenagers addressing themes such as war violence separated families & responsibility.